ALTHIUM MIDLAND COMBINATION DIVISION 1

SATURDAY 27TH AUGUST 2011

LITTLETON 2 BROMSGROVE SPORTING 2

As on Tuesday Sporting played in canary yellow while injuries and work commitments again resulted in a makeshift team. There the similarities end. While understandably not at their most fluent the team played with character and determination and, with a little more composure in front of goal, could have won. Particularly pleasing was the performance of the makeshift striking partnership of Jamie Siviter and Jon Rogers with Rogers in particular having a fine game.

Sporting took the lead after six minutes when Siviter turned in the penalty area and shot. A defender slid in to block the shot but the ball spun off his leg and trickled over the line with the goalkeeper wrong footed. Littleton responded with neat approach play probing for openings. Their first chance came on 18 minutes when Lolley lost his marker with a quick turn and shot just wide of the far post. Sporting however continued to dominate the early exchanges and a fine move on 20 minutes nearly led to a second goal. Jon Rogers played a one two with Siviter on the edge of the area to have a clear run at goal but his shot was well saved. Shortly afterwards Siviter was played in, rounded the goalkeeper but his shot was cleared off the line. Then Jon Rogers also had a close range shot kicked off the line.

As half time approached Littleton began to push Sporting back and themselves had a shot cleared off the line after Biddle had flapped at a cross. Biddle then redeemed himself with a good save from Baird's drive. Seconds before the interval the threatened goal arrived. Biddle could only push Lolley's shot into the post and Baird followed up to score.

The second period began as the first had ended, with Littleton on top. Baird was put through but Biddle made a fine save at his feet. Then Allard worked an opening but shot narrowly wide, before Biddle , having a fine second half after an uncertain opening period, saved well from substitute Walsh. On 73 minutes, slightly against the run of play, Sporting regained the lead with an excellent finish from Jon Rogers who was played onside as the Littleton defence pushed out. Soon afterwards Rogers created an opportunity for Siviter whose shot was cleared off the line. Seconds later Littleton levelled with a cross shot from Allard that crept just inside the far post. They now pushed for the winner and Biddle was again the hero saving from Mills after the striker was put through by a ball over the top. Despite the pressure Sporting held firm for a well deserved point.

A draw was a fair result but both teams will feel that they had enough chances to win. With my glass half full I will say that Sporting played a full part in a very entertaining game. On the evidence of this game Littleton are a good side and an away draw against them is not a bad result. With my glass half empty I note that it is now five games since Sporting won. Let's hope they can put that right on Monday.

Littleton: Edwards, Ingram, Edghill, Harris, Mitchell, Connor Trotman, Brain (Walsh 65),Baird, Mills. Lolley (McKeon 88), Allard

Sub Not Used: Dan Trotman, Gould

Yellow Cards: Edghill, Baird

Sporting. Biddle, Molesworth, Allen, Cooksey, Humphries, Keight, Brookes, Jamie Rogers , Siviter, Jon Rogers, Bright

Sub Not Used: Brighton, Griffiths, Gareth Rogers

Yellow Cards: Cooksey,Humphries

Referee Mr J Widdett

Rouslers Man of the Match Jon Rogers